Rescue grip: moving a person out of a danger zone
If someone is lying on a road, next to a burning car or under a looming danger, the person must first get out of the danger zone – even if injured. The rescue grip (in Austria and Germany called the Rautek grip after its inventor) is practised in every first-aid course. Here you learn when to use it, how it works and when you must not put yourself in danger.
- 1–2 minutes
Explained simply
Sometimes an injured person is lying in a dangerous place, for example on a road. Then they must get away from there first.
With the rescue grip you only lift the upper body and pull the person backwards to safety. The legs drag on the ground, so it is not too heavy.
But: you yourself must never go into smoke, gas, water or near electricity. Then you call the fire brigade.
How it works
You reach under the armpits from behind and hold one of the person's forearms in front of their chest. That way their upper body rests securely against you and the head is supported.
Because you only carry part of the weight and lift with your legs, even smaller helpers can move a bigger person a few metres.
What matters
First check the scene: is it safe for me?
Do not wrap your thumbs round the arm, all fingers on top.
Back straight, lift with your legs, small steps backwards.
Safety: what to watch out for
Only move them if there is acute danger. Without danger leave the person where they are and treat them there.
Secure the accident scene and call the emergency number.
The grip is best practised on a first-aid course. In an emergency: 112 (in Austria also 144).
Step by step
- 1
Check the scene and secure it
Is it safe for you? Secure the scene, shout loudly for help and, if possible, have someone call the emergency number.
- 2
Sit the person up
Kneel behind the person's head, slide your hands under neck and shoulders and raise the upper body. Support it with your knees at the back.
- 3
Take the rescue grip
Reach under both armpits from behind and take hold of one of the person's forearms, lying across their chest, with both hands. All fingers and thumbs lie on top.
- 4
Lift
Squat down, back straight, and stand up using your legs. The person's upper body rests on your thighs.
- 5
Backwards out of danger
Walk backwards with small steps until you are safely outside the danger zone. Look round now and then.
- 6
Lay down carefully and keep helping
Lay the person down slowly, check consciousness and breathing and keep giving first aid until the emergency services arrive.
Common mistakes
- Going into smoke, gas or water yourself
- Moving a person unnecessarily when there is no danger
- Lifting with a rounded back
- Wrapping your thumbs round the arm
- Forgetting the emergency call
Quick view
Materials
Disposable gloves
Consider latex allergies – prefer latex-free gloves (e.g. nitrile).
Suitable for
- Person on the road
- Near a spreading fire
- Threatening collapse or rockfall when you can get there safely
Not suitable for
- Rooms with smoke, gas or electrical danger – fire brigade
- Water, ice, drops – stay secured yourself, call emergency services
- People with no acute danger at the scene – treat them there
Prerequisites
- Acute danger at the scene that you can reach safely yourself
- Your own safety comes first
Safety
- This text does not replace a first-aid course. First aid is learned through hands-on practice under instruction. In an emergency always call professional help – via the local emergency number (112 in the EU) – and follow the dispatcher's instructions.
- Even with a possible back injury: acute danger comes first. Without danger, leave the person where they are and treat them there.
- Lift with a straight back using your legs. If there are two of you, the second person helps at the legs.
How it works
With the rescue grip you only lift the upper body; the legs drag along the ground. That way you carry only part of the weight and can pull even a heavier person backwards. Because the person's forearm is held in front of their chest, head and upper body are supported and your arms do not press on the ribs.
Advantages
- Possible even for smaller helpers
- Protects head and upper body
Disadvantages
- Tiring
- Only short distances
- Needs practice
Deep knowledge
Background
The grip goes back to the Viennese jiu-jitsu teacher Franz Rautek, who described it in the 1930s for rescuing injured people. Today it is a fixed part of first-aid courses in Austria and Germany.
Variants
- From a car
- From a vehicle the grip is applied similarly; first switch off the ignition and check that the legs are free. This is practised on courses – if the person is trapped, wait for the fire brigade.
Common mistakes
- Going into smoke, gas or water yourself
- Moving a person unnecessarily when there is no danger
- Lifting with a rounded back
- Wrapping your thumbs round the arm
- Forgetting the emergency call
Limits and risks
- Does not replace a first-aid course with practice
- No rescue from water, smoke or gas
Sources (2)
- Österreichisches Rotes Kreuz: Erste Hilfe – Informationen und Kurse · Moving out of the danger zone, rescue grip, self-protection
- Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK): Erste Hilfe – Informationen und Kurse · Rautek grip and securing the accident scene